Civic pride on display as volunteers tee off for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush

(L-R): Volunteer Mervyn Best, Carolyn Boyd, Industry Development Manager at Tourism NI, Lindsay Armstrong, Community Projects Manager at Volunteer Now and Ballymena volunteer Katie Creighton.

As final preparations ramp up for The 153rd Open Championship, more than 1,800 volunteers from across Northern Ireland are readying themselves to welcome a global audience to Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The Championship, which officially tees off this Sunday, is expected to attract over 270,000 golf fans, transforming Portrush into a vibrant hub of sporting excellence and hospitality.

Volunteers will be vital in delivering Northern Ireland’s renowned ‘giant welcome’, playing key roles in marshalling, guiding visitors, and enhancing the overall experience for both players and spectators.

Tourism Northern Ireland has worked closely with The R&A, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, government departments and emergency services to ensure a smooth and successful delivery of the Championship.

According to analysis by Sheffield Hallam University, the event is forecast to bring a combined economic and media benefit of £213 million to Northern Ireland.

However, the impact of the Championship is expected to resonate well beyond its closing day.

“These volunteers will play an integral part in the success of The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush,” said Eimear Hone, Major Events Manager at Tourism NI.

“Northern Ireland is as famous for warm hospitality as it is for its first-class golf offering and these volunteers will be on hand to offer a true giant welcome to all visitors who will be joining us next week.

“I have no doubt they will be excellent ambassadors for both The Open and the region and will have a really enjoyable experience, all while taking in the buzz and excitement.”

Roles that make the championship run

(L-R): Carolyn Boyd, Industry Development Manager at Tourism NI, volunteer Lee Griffiths from Belfast and Lindsay Armstrong, Community Projects Manager at Volunteer Now.

Volunteers will be stationed throughout Portrush – at transport hubs, Park & Ride facilities, and spectator zones – helping to direct crowds and provide information on local attractions and experiences for fans to explore during downtime from the course.

In addition to general volunteers, around one third of the marshals have been drawn from 21 golf clubs across Northern Ireland – many of whom also supported The 148th Open in 2019.

Their duties will range from ensuring crowd control and ball spotting to helping guide players from one hole to the next, with others assisting fans in locating seats at the grandstands.

Royal Portrush Golf Club will also see around 200 of its own members involved in various voluntary capacities, contributing to the seamless running of the tournament.

Returning faces and new enthusiasts

Among the enthusiastic volunteers are Mervyn and Sandra Best, a couple from Antrim who are returning after volunteering at The Open in 2019.

“We volunteered at The Open in 2019 and it was a fantastic experience. Volunteers are based at various locations around Portrush where you could be directing people, greeting people off buses and trains, directing them,” said Mervyn.

“We got to meet so many people and got to know other volunteers. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Bangor man Brian Templeton, another returning volunteer, echoed those sentiments.

“The role has you doing anything and everything – you are on the street, meeting and greeting people, directing them to the centre of the town, train station or carparks.

“I really enjoyed it last time round and am delighted to be back again this year.”

For others like Ballymena graduate Katie Creighton, this year marks a new chapter.

“I graduated at the end of June, so I thought this would be a good summer activity,” said Katie.

“Volunteering at The Open will be my first time doing anything like this, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

A lasting legacy

While the Championship itself spans only a week, its legacy is designed to last far longer. Through strategic investment and community involvement, The Open’s return to Royal Portrush reinforces Northern Ireland’s global reputation as both a world-class golf destination and a welcoming, culturally rich place to visit, live, and invest.

As the countdown continues, it is the volunteers – those passionate ambassadors in hi-vis vests and friendly smiles – who will be the face of the region, embodying civic pride and helping to deliver a truly unforgettable event.